The second phase of a major modernization was recently begun by Shaw Industries at its Andalusia, Ala., extrusion facility, the largest of Shaw's more than 100 manufacturing plants and distribution centers across the United States, at 1.17 million square feet.

This effort, representing a capital investment of more than $35 million, calls for replacement of extrusion equipment and extensive building upgrades, with a sizeable section of the plant being demolished and rebuilt. This project's purpose is to improve employee safety, product quality and manufacturing efficiency, Shaw said.

"The expansion will enable us to give better service and faster response in meeting the growing demands of our most popular fiber systems," stated Scott Sandlin, Shaw's vice president of marketing.

At the facility, carpet yarns are extruded and twisted/heatset for Shaw carpets and rugs. The Andalusia plant can process many nylon and polypropylene yarn systems, including EverTouch, EverTouchSD, Comfortouch and Eco Solution Q.

Demolition at the facility was begun in January, and construction is projected to be completed by the first quarter of 2005. Start-up for the last of the machines is scheduled for the fourth quarter of that year.